"I may be an old man, but I still know an adventure when I see one. Etria was such a quiet place until that day, when the sounds of thunder roared from the nearby forest. When the townspeople gathered enough bravery to investigate, they found a pathway had opened up into the depths of the forest. Their courage was not enough to coax them into investigating deeper, but I knew that others would be overcome by curiosity... among other things. It's only been a few days but those seeking adventure have already begun showing up in town. I watched them in their excitement, their zeal. But watching is all this old man shall do from his bench in the middle of Verda Plaza."
– Eulixes
retired Captain of the Etrian Town Guard
retired Captain of the Etrian Town Guard
***
"One of the first adventurers I saw entering town was a kid named Dorf. Though he was one of the first to arrive in Etria, he's yet to actually descend into the forest. That poor boy. Word is the Guild has been hesitant to assign him to a party because he's so young. But apparently that's soon to change. I saw him the other day in Shilleka's Goods buying some equipment with a wide grin on his face. I heard that it was also his birthday yesterday."
"One of the first adventurers I saw entering town was a kid named Dorf. Though he was one of the first to arrive in Etria, he's yet to actually descend into the forest. That poor boy. Word is the Guild has been hesitant to assign him to a party because he's so young. But apparently that's soon to change. I saw him the other day in Shilleka's Goods buying some equipment with a wide grin on his face. I heard that it was also his birthday yesterday."
– Eulixes
When I heard about the forest, I quickly bought myself a sword and shield. Not just any shield though, a large one, made of steel so that it could take even the strongest blow. After all, the shield is the piece of equipment that makes a protector. A protector uses it not just to defend themselves but also their fellow party members. Considering that no one knows what could be lurking in that forest, I thought a shield-wielding protector would find himself constantly going into the those unexplored woods to help others.Not in my case though. The organizers at the Guild thought I was too young. That didn't stop me though. I trained every day, hoping to impress the Guild: I'd run laps through the streets of Etria, I'd spare with the other adventurers, and I'd practice with older and wiser warriors than me.
Today, I walked into the Guild and asked to be assigned to a party. The man at the desk looked at me with annoyance on his face--I have been pestering for a long time now. Just before he was about to turn me away again, though, another adventurer congratulated me, in a loud booming voice so that everyone around could hear, for my birthday.
Maybe becoming older made a difference. Maybe the Guild organizer saw through my friend's act and just got fed up with me. But I've finally been assigned to a party.
***
"Today I met a fellow by the name of William Stillspeare, who's also in town for adventure. Unlike many of the others armed with swords and bows, however, his skill lies with musical instruments. As a troubadour he uses song and music to inspire strength and courage in his other party members. Can't say I take to his talent though. Dang kids and their crazy new music."
– Eulixes
Truly brave, bold adventurers we are,Willing to go very near or so far.
The deep forest in Etria beckons,
The dangerous monsters within threaten!
But this courageous group will still prevail,
Dorf the Protector: his shield will not fail,
The Survivalist Lyzz, our eyes and ears.
Last, me, Troubadour William Stillspeare!
This forest labyrinth may be pretty,
But its fearful inhabitants hungry.
I shall bolster courage and bravery,
by playing songs on my ukulele.
***
"The first person to boldly go where no human has gone before, into that cracked opening of the forest, was Lyzz. A woodsmen--er, woodswomen--by trade, she comes from the surrounding wilderness around the town of Etria. She made a living by hunting game and selling the butchered meat and skinned hides in town. That forest, however, changed her. Whereas she used to hunt for sustenance, now she hunts for the adventure. With her stalking and hunting skills, she had managed to single-handedly map out half of the first level of the forest. It was from her that we discovered the forest was, in reality, a truly dangerous labyrinth."
"The first person to boldly go where no human has gone before, into that cracked opening of the forest, was Lyzz. A woodsmen--er, woodswomen--by trade, she comes from the surrounding wilderness around the town of Etria. She made a living by hunting game and selling the butchered meat and skinned hides in town. That forest, however, changed her. Whereas she used to hunt for sustenance, now she hunts for the adventure. With her stalking and hunting skills, she had managed to single-handedly map out half of the first level of the forest. It was from her that we discovered the forest was, in reality, a truly dangerous labyrinth."
– Eulixes
William's horrible music and singing attracted the attention of a wild treerat. Normally I would have noticed it following us through the bushes, getting ready to attack us, but the sounds of William's cursed ukulele distracted me. Considering how the blasted rodent... attacked... William, it apparently mistook William's singing for a mating call.Dorf and I were able to wound the thing and send it running off into the depths of the forest but now William is mortally wounded. He can't even walk on his own two feet and Dorf and I have to drag him back to town.
Even worse, William has become delirious because of his wounds. Despite his horrible condition, he keeps on singing as if there's nothing the matter. His ukulele was badly damaged in the treerat attack, but he apparently has more than one musical instruments in his arsenal. He pulled out something called a "banjo" from his backpack. Before he could even play a single note, though, I took it away from him and told him that if he wants to get out of this forest alive, he's going to have to shut up.
***
End Chapter
